Jeffrey T Clark | North Dakota State University (original) (raw)
Papers by Jeffrey T Clark
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2016
The timing and unprecedented speed of the Lapita migration from the western edge of Oceania to we... more The timing and unprecedented speed of the Lapita migration from the western edge of Oceania to western Polynesia in the Central Pacific have long been of interest to archaeologists. The eastern-most extent of that great human migration was the Samoan Archipelago in West Polynesia, although critical questions have remained about the timing and process of Samoan colonization. To investigate those questions, we carried out a Bayesian analysis of 19 radiocarbon dates on charcoal and 8 uranium-thorium (U-Th) series coral dates from four archaeological sites on Ofu Island in the eastern reaches of Samoa. The analysis indicates initial settlement of Ofu at 2717-2663 cal BP (68.2%) by people using Plainware rather than the diagnostic dentate-stamped Lapita pottery. This date range indicates that there is not a significant chronological gap between Lapita and Plainware sites in Samoa, which holds implications for modeling the settlement process in the Central Pacific.
The identification and analysis of 1583 bones from colonisation (~2700 cal BP) to late period (po... more The identification and analysis of 1583 bones from colonisation (~2700 cal BP) to late period (post-800 cal BP) cultural layers from archaeological site AS-13–41 on Ofu Island, American Samoa are reported. The assemblage is dominated by fish (~91 per cent; NISP = 1435, MNI = 162) with bones of human, Green Sea Turtle, sea birds (shearwaters and petrels) and a terrestrial bird (Buff-Banded Rail), as well as the commensals Pacific Rat, chicken (Red Junglefowl) and pig. We report here the first prehistoric records of Pacific Flying Fox (Pteropus tonganus) and the endemic Tooth-Billed Pigeon
(Manumea, Didunculus strigirostris) from colonisation layers and two pelagic fish species only recorded from late prehistoric deposits: Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) and flying fish (Exocoetidae). These and numerous genus-level fish identifications of surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), squirrelfish and soldierfish (Holocentridae), snapper (Lutjanidae) and
parrotfish (Scaridae) are additional new fish records for Samoan prehistory reflecting the breadth of the fish reference collection as well as the practice of using all fish bones for identification; ~37 per cent of bones were assigned to family. Colonisation period deposits are characterised by greater quantities of fish, turtle and bird bones, declining towards later prehistory signalling the likely effects of human predation and an increasing emphasis towards agricultural production.
Proceedings of the …, 1999
Radiocarbon, 2016
Radiocarbon dating of marine samples requires a local marine reservoir correction, or ΔR value, f... more Radiocarbon dating of marine samples requires a local marine reservoir correction, or ΔR value, for accurate age calibrations. For the Samoan Archipelago in the central Pacific, ΔR values have been proposed previously, but, unlike some Polynesian archipelagoes, ΔR values seem not to vary spatially and temporally. Here, we demonstrate such variability by reporting a ΔR of –101±72 ΔR for the Manu‘a Group—the eastern-most islands in the archipelago—for the colonization period. This value is based on accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C and uranium-thorium (U-Th) series dating of individual coral branches from pre-2300 cal BP archaeological contexts. This figure differs from the previously proposed modern ΔR of 28±26 yr derived from dated historic, pre-1950, shell samples from the western islands of Samoa. Consequently, we recommend using the ΔR of –101±72 yr for the 1st millennium BC in Manu‘a, and 28±26 yr for calibrating dates within the 2nd millennium AD in the western islands (S...
Archaeology in Oceania, 2020
Marine resources are integral to the subsistence of coastal populations in Oceania and have been ... more Marine resources are integral to the subsistence of coastal populations in Oceania and have been since the islands were first settled. While items of fishing gear, most notably fishhooks, are found throughout the Pacific, they are not as common as one might think. Fishhooks are in fact noticeably uncommon in the Central Pacific, for example. Consequently, the various types of analyses of fishhook morphology, particularly the types of line attachment devices, that have been carried out on East Polynesian assemblages have not been possible for West Polynesian sites. Using a large collection of fishhooks from three sites on Ofu and Olosega islands in the Manu'a Group of American Samoa, we present a detailed analysis of a large combined assemblage and compare the data collected to those from other islands and island groups in the region. We show that the hooks reflect exploitation emphasizing inshore environments, and that angling as a fish capture method is likely to vary in intensity based on local environmental variability. Moreover, we illustrate how these fishhooks constitute a means of assessing both early cultural contacts and cultural variability in the Central Pacific. RESUME Les ressources marines font partie intégrante de la subsistance des populations côtières en Océanie et ce depuis que les îles ont été colonisées pour la première fois. Bien que des articles d'engins de pêche, notamment des hameçons, se trouvent dans tout le Pacifique, ils ne sont pas aussi courants qu'on pourrait le penser. Les hameçons sont en fait sensiblement rares dans le Pacifique Central, par exemple. Par conséquent, les différents types d'analyses de la morphologie des hameçons, en particulier les types de dispositifs d'attache de ligne, qui ont été effectués sur des assemblages de Polynésie orientale n'ont pas été possibles pour les sites de Polynésie occidentale. À l'aide d'une grande collection d'hameçons provenant de trois sites sur les îles Ofu et Olosega du groupe Manu'a des Samoa Américaines, nous présentons une analyse détaillée d'un grand assemblage combiné et comparons les données collectées à celles d'autres îles et groupes d'îles de la région. Nous montrons que les hameçons reflètent une exploitation mettant l'accent sur les environnements côtiers et que la pêche à la ligne comme méthode de capture du poisson est susceptible de varier en intensité basée sur de la différences environnementales locale. De plus, nous illustrons comment ces hameçons constituent un moyen d'évaluer à la fois les premiers contacts culturels et la variabilité culturelle dans le Pacifique Central.
Journal of Pacific archaeology, 2016
The identification and analysis of 1583 bones from colonisation (~2700 cal BP) to late period (pos... more The identification and analysis of 1583 bones from colonisation (~2700 cal BP) to late period (post-800 cal BP) cultural layers from archaeological site AS-13–41 on Ofu Island, American Samoa are reported. The assemblage is dominated by fish (~91 per cent; NISP = 1435, MNI = 162) with bones of human, Green Sea Turtle, sea birds (shearwaters and petrels) and a terrestrial bird (Buff-Banded Rail), as well as the commensals Pacific Rat, chicken (Red Junglefowl) and pig. We report here the first prehistoric records of Pacific Flying Fox (Pteropus tonganus) and the endemic Tooth-Billed Pigeon (Manumea, Didunculus strigirostris) from colonisation layers and two pelagic fish species only recorded from late pre-historic deposits: Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) and flying fish (Exocoetidae). These and numerous genus-level fish identifications of surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), squirrelfish and soldierfish (Holocentridae), snapper (Lutjanidae) and parrotfish (Scaridae) are additional new fish records for Samoan...
Proceedings IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies
This poster updates the lessons from a collaborative learning about how the process of mapping si... more This poster updates the lessons from a collaborative learning about how the process of mapping similar teaching cases can help define the terrain and share good-practice to encourage uptake. The context mapping process gives an understanding of how we might consider all the role based learning task designs in a way that is not dependent on the particular definition such as role-play or case-study but rather focuses on a process that considers the context of the academic and finding similar good practice to be able to work with them effectively. The author worked collaboratively with the Project EnRoLE team to map a repository of cases in ways that were helpful for the team's understanding of the factors that are key to useful definitions of role-based learning. It is hoped the exercise will influence and clarify strategies for disseminating the project and the cases in ways that encourage re-usability of the learning designs for role-based learning experiences.
Journal of the Polynesian Society, 2012
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2015
A long standing research approach in island Oceania is the examination of community and regional ... more A long standing research approach in island Oceania is the examination of community and regional level patterning of archaeological remains. However, these efforts are impeded by heavy vegetation and rugged terrain, which limit the implementation and productivity of traditional archaeological methods. Aerial lidar data provide an opportunity to survey large archaeological landscapes effectively and efficiently in these environments. In this paper, we present the results of a lidar-based survey and analysis of community-level spatial patterning for at sites in the Manu'a Group of American Samoa. Using lidar data in conjunction with pedestrian survey results, we first established the suitability of lidar for identifying archaeological features, and then applied the technique to a previously unexamined landscape. We were able to record archaeological remains and analyse the data to discern spatial patterning in their distribution. The 27 patterning of these remains is broadly comparable, though not identical, to that of three other 28 settlement zones on Olosega and the adjacent island of Ofu, which previously were intensively 29 surveyed. The differences in the characteristics and distribution of structural features within and 30 between these four settlement zones may reflect differences in social status and ranking.
Virtual Archaeology Proceedings of the Vast Euroconference Arezzo 24 25 November 2000 2002 Isbn 1 84171 454 2 Pags 71 76, 2002
Archaeology in Oceania, 2020
Marine resources are integral to the subsistence of coastal populations in Oceania and have been ... more Marine resources are integral to the subsistence of coastal populations in Oceania and have been since the islands were first settled. While
items of fishing gear, most notably fishhooks, are found throughout the Pacific, they are not as common as one might think. Fishhooks are in fact noticeably uncommon in the Central Pacific, for example. Consequently, the various types of analyses of fishhook morphology, particularly the types of line attachment devices, that have been carried out on East Polynesian assemblages have not been possible for West Polynesian sites. Using a large collection of fishhooks from three sites on Ofu and Olosega islands in the Manu‘a Group of American Samoa, we present a detailed analysis of a large combined assemblage and compare the data collected to those from other islands and island groups in the region. We show that the hooks reflect exploitation emphasising inshore environments, and that angling as a fish capture method is likely to vary in intensity based on local environmental variability. Moreover, we illustrate how these fishhooks constitute a means of assessing both early cultural contacts and cultural variability in the Central Pacific.
Journal of Anthropological Research, 2019
Previous research has demonstrated that the nature of power strategies correlates with the nature... more Previous research has demonstrated that the nature of power strategies correlates with the nature of ritual action, and nowhere is political action more important than in Polynesia. Polynesian political systems have served as important comparative examples for the investigation of complex societies, although the nature of some early political systems is not well understood. Through the analysis of the ritual of pigeon catching, the nature of pre-European-contact power strategies in Samoa are inferred in this paper. We demonstrate that Samoan ritual action in pigeon catching was geared toward the legitimization of hierarchical structure instead of simply the power of individual elites. We contend that by legitimizing structures, manifestations of sacred power could be validated and channeled to others for purposes of practical influence. Based on the comparative analysis of pigeon catching, we find that power strategies in Samoa, despite several notable autocratic tendencies, were more corporate than in neighboring Tonga.
Radiocarbon dating of marine samples requires a local marine reservoir correction, or ΔR value, f... more Radiocarbon dating of marine samples requires a local marine reservoir correction, or ΔR value, for accurate age calibrations. For the Samoan Archipelago in the central Pacific, ΔR values have been proposed previously, but, unlike some Polynesian archipelagoes, ΔR values seem not to vary spatially and temporally. Here, we demonstrate such variability by reporting a ΔR of -101 ± 72 ΔR for the Manu'a Group-the eastern-most islands in the archipelago-for the colonization period. This value is based on accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14 C and uranium-thorium (U-Th) series dating of individual coral branches from pre-2300 cal BP archaeological contexts. This figure differs from the previously proposed modern ΔR of 28 ± 26 yr derived from dated historic, pre-1950, shell samples from the western islands of Samoa. Consequently, we recommend using the ΔR of -101 ± 72 yr for the 1st millennium BC in Manu'a, and 28 ± 26 yr for calibrating dates within the 2nd millennium AD in the western islands (Savai'i to Tutuila). Until more data from across the archipelago and from throughout the entire culture-historical sequence document ΔR variability, we recommend that researchers use both of these ΔR values to evaluate how the dates of marine-derived samples compare with AMS dates on identified, short-lived wood charcoal.
The timing and unprecedented speed of the Lapita migration from the western edge of Oceania to we... more The timing and unprecedented speed of the Lapita migration from the western edge of Oceania to western Poly-nesia in the Central Pacific have long been of interest to archaeologists. The eastern-most extent of that great human migration was the Samoan Archipelago in West Polynesia, although critical questions have remained about the timing and process of Samoan colonization. To investigate those questions, we carried out a Bayesian analysis of 19 radiocarbon dates on charcoal and 8 uranium-thorium (U-Th) series coral dates from four archaeological sites on Ofu Island in the eastern reaches of Samoa. The analysis indicates initial settlement of Ofu at 2717–2663 cal BP (68.2%) by people using Plainware rather than the diagnostic dentate-stamped Lapita pottery. This date range indicates that there is not a significant chronological gap between Lapita and Plainware sites in Samoa, which holds implications for modeling the settlement process in the Central Pacific.
Journal of Pacific Archaeology , 2016
The identification and analysis of 1583 bones from colonisation (~2700 cal BP) to late period (po... more The identification and analysis of 1583 bones from colonisation (~2700 cal BP) to late period (post-800 cal BP) cultural layers from archaeological site AS-13-41 on Ofu Island, American Samoa are reported. The assemblage is dominated by fish (~91 per cent; NISP = 1435, MNI = 162) with bones of human, Green Sea Turtle, sea birds (shearwaters and petrels) and a terrestrial bird (Buff-Banded Rail), as well as the commensals Pacific Rat, chicken (Red Junglefowl) and pig. We report here the first prehistoric records of Pacific Flying Fox (Pteropus tonganus) and the endemic Tooth-Billed Pigeon (Manumea, Didunculus strigirostris) from colonisation layers and two pelagic fish species only recorded from late prehistoric deposits: Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) and flying fish (Exocoetidae). These and numerous genus-level fish identifications of surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), squirrelfish and soldierfish (Holocentridae), snapper (Lutjanidae) and parrotfish (Scaridae) are additional new fish records for Samoan prehistory reflecting the breadth of the fish reference collection as well as the practice of using all fish bones for identification; ~37 per cent of bones were assigned to family. Colonisation period deposits are characterised by greater quantities of fish, turtle and bird bones, declining towards later prehistory signalling the likely effects of human predation and an increasing emphasis towards agricultural production.
This study examines the intersections of spatial logic and archaeology in the Sāmoan Archipelago ... more This study examines the intersections of spatial logic and archaeology in the Sāmoan Archipelago of Polynesia. These islands provide model systems for understanding social space given their small size and bounded nature. We argue that spatial logic, defined as group conceptualization of space or shared orientations, contributes to the patterning of archaeological remains in Sāmoa. The building of architectural structures and the cultural structuring of space can also be seen as political negotiation, even though the ideal spatial distribution is never met. While shared general patterns of spatial orientation may be identified across wide regions, it is also important to understand the development of spatial logic in the archaeological record as active processes embedded within historical context.
Case studies offer an opportunity to examine and highlight relationships among variables in a way... more Case studies offer an opportunity to examine and highlight relationships among variables in a way that cannot be done through broad comparison. Ofu Island has served as one such case study for understanding human–environment relationships. Here, we use three decades of archaeological investigations – past work of others as well as our own recent research – to formulate a revised model of the historical ecology of the island. We argue that Ofu still holds important clues to understanding the complexity of human–environment relationships, chiefly serving to illustrate the structuring effects of environmental history. R ´ ESUMÉ Lesétudes de cas permettent d'examiner et de mettre enévidence les liens entre des variables, ce qui n'est pas possible de la même façon avec une comparaison générale. L'Ile d'Ofu a servi d'´ etude de cas pour comprendre les liens humain-environnement. Ce travail est le fruit de trente années de recherches archéologiques-aussi bien les travaux anciens d'autres personnes que notre récente recherche-que nous utilisons pourélaborer une version revisitée de l'histoire de l'´ ecologie de l'ˆ ıle. Nous certifions qu'Ofu renferme encore des informations importantes permettant de comprendre la complexité des relations qui existent entre l'homme et l'environnement, servant principalementà illustrer les effets structurants de l'histoire environnementale.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2016
The timing and unprecedented speed of the Lapita migration from the western edge of Oceania to we... more The timing and unprecedented speed of the Lapita migration from the western edge of Oceania to western Polynesia in the Central Pacific have long been of interest to archaeologists. The eastern-most extent of that great human migration was the Samoan Archipelago in West Polynesia, although critical questions have remained about the timing and process of Samoan colonization. To investigate those questions, we carried out a Bayesian analysis of 19 radiocarbon dates on charcoal and 8 uranium-thorium (U-Th) series coral dates from four archaeological sites on Ofu Island in the eastern reaches of Samoa. The analysis indicates initial settlement of Ofu at 2717-2663 cal BP (68.2%) by people using Plainware rather than the diagnostic dentate-stamped Lapita pottery. This date range indicates that there is not a significant chronological gap between Lapita and Plainware sites in Samoa, which holds implications for modeling the settlement process in the Central Pacific.
The identification and analysis of 1583 bones from colonisation (~2700 cal BP) to late period (po... more The identification and analysis of 1583 bones from colonisation (~2700 cal BP) to late period (post-800 cal BP) cultural layers from archaeological site AS-13–41 on Ofu Island, American Samoa are reported. The assemblage is dominated by fish (~91 per cent; NISP = 1435, MNI = 162) with bones of human, Green Sea Turtle, sea birds (shearwaters and petrels) and a terrestrial bird (Buff-Banded Rail), as well as the commensals Pacific Rat, chicken (Red Junglefowl) and pig. We report here the first prehistoric records of Pacific Flying Fox (Pteropus tonganus) and the endemic Tooth-Billed Pigeon
(Manumea, Didunculus strigirostris) from colonisation layers and two pelagic fish species only recorded from late prehistoric deposits: Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) and flying fish (Exocoetidae). These and numerous genus-level fish identifications of surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), squirrelfish and soldierfish (Holocentridae), snapper (Lutjanidae) and
parrotfish (Scaridae) are additional new fish records for Samoan prehistory reflecting the breadth of the fish reference collection as well as the practice of using all fish bones for identification; ~37 per cent of bones were assigned to family. Colonisation period deposits are characterised by greater quantities of fish, turtle and bird bones, declining towards later prehistory signalling the likely effects of human predation and an increasing emphasis towards agricultural production.
Proceedings of the …, 1999
Radiocarbon, 2016
Radiocarbon dating of marine samples requires a local marine reservoir correction, or ΔR value, f... more Radiocarbon dating of marine samples requires a local marine reservoir correction, or ΔR value, for accurate age calibrations. For the Samoan Archipelago in the central Pacific, ΔR values have been proposed previously, but, unlike some Polynesian archipelagoes, ΔR values seem not to vary spatially and temporally. Here, we demonstrate such variability by reporting a ΔR of –101±72 ΔR for the Manu‘a Group—the eastern-most islands in the archipelago—for the colonization period. This value is based on accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C and uranium-thorium (U-Th) series dating of individual coral branches from pre-2300 cal BP archaeological contexts. This figure differs from the previously proposed modern ΔR of 28±26 yr derived from dated historic, pre-1950, shell samples from the western islands of Samoa. Consequently, we recommend using the ΔR of –101±72 yr for the 1st millennium BC in Manu‘a, and 28±26 yr for calibrating dates within the 2nd millennium AD in the western islands (S...
Archaeology in Oceania, 2020
Marine resources are integral to the subsistence of coastal populations in Oceania and have been ... more Marine resources are integral to the subsistence of coastal populations in Oceania and have been since the islands were first settled. While items of fishing gear, most notably fishhooks, are found throughout the Pacific, they are not as common as one might think. Fishhooks are in fact noticeably uncommon in the Central Pacific, for example. Consequently, the various types of analyses of fishhook morphology, particularly the types of line attachment devices, that have been carried out on East Polynesian assemblages have not been possible for West Polynesian sites. Using a large collection of fishhooks from three sites on Ofu and Olosega islands in the Manu'a Group of American Samoa, we present a detailed analysis of a large combined assemblage and compare the data collected to those from other islands and island groups in the region. We show that the hooks reflect exploitation emphasizing inshore environments, and that angling as a fish capture method is likely to vary in intensity based on local environmental variability. Moreover, we illustrate how these fishhooks constitute a means of assessing both early cultural contacts and cultural variability in the Central Pacific. RESUME Les ressources marines font partie intégrante de la subsistance des populations côtières en Océanie et ce depuis que les îles ont été colonisées pour la première fois. Bien que des articles d'engins de pêche, notamment des hameçons, se trouvent dans tout le Pacifique, ils ne sont pas aussi courants qu'on pourrait le penser. Les hameçons sont en fait sensiblement rares dans le Pacifique Central, par exemple. Par conséquent, les différents types d'analyses de la morphologie des hameçons, en particulier les types de dispositifs d'attache de ligne, qui ont été effectués sur des assemblages de Polynésie orientale n'ont pas été possibles pour les sites de Polynésie occidentale. À l'aide d'une grande collection d'hameçons provenant de trois sites sur les îles Ofu et Olosega du groupe Manu'a des Samoa Américaines, nous présentons une analyse détaillée d'un grand assemblage combiné et comparons les données collectées à celles d'autres îles et groupes d'îles de la région. Nous montrons que les hameçons reflètent une exploitation mettant l'accent sur les environnements côtiers et que la pêche à la ligne comme méthode de capture du poisson est susceptible de varier en intensité basée sur de la différences environnementales locale. De plus, nous illustrons comment ces hameçons constituent un moyen d'évaluer à la fois les premiers contacts culturels et la variabilité culturelle dans le Pacifique Central.
Journal of Pacific archaeology, 2016
The identification and analysis of 1583 bones from colonisation (~2700 cal BP) to late period (pos... more The identification and analysis of 1583 bones from colonisation (~2700 cal BP) to late period (post-800 cal BP) cultural layers from archaeological site AS-13–41 on Ofu Island, American Samoa are reported. The assemblage is dominated by fish (~91 per cent; NISP = 1435, MNI = 162) with bones of human, Green Sea Turtle, sea birds (shearwaters and petrels) and a terrestrial bird (Buff-Banded Rail), as well as the commensals Pacific Rat, chicken (Red Junglefowl) and pig. We report here the first prehistoric records of Pacific Flying Fox (Pteropus tonganus) and the endemic Tooth-Billed Pigeon (Manumea, Didunculus strigirostris) from colonisation layers and two pelagic fish species only recorded from late pre-historic deposits: Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) and flying fish (Exocoetidae). These and numerous genus-level fish identifications of surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), squirrelfish and soldierfish (Holocentridae), snapper (Lutjanidae) and parrotfish (Scaridae) are additional new fish records for Samoan...
Proceedings IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies
This poster updates the lessons from a collaborative learning about how the process of mapping si... more This poster updates the lessons from a collaborative learning about how the process of mapping similar teaching cases can help define the terrain and share good-practice to encourage uptake. The context mapping process gives an understanding of how we might consider all the role based learning task designs in a way that is not dependent on the particular definition such as role-play or case-study but rather focuses on a process that considers the context of the academic and finding similar good practice to be able to work with them effectively. The author worked collaboratively with the Project EnRoLE team to map a repository of cases in ways that were helpful for the team's understanding of the factors that are key to useful definitions of role-based learning. It is hoped the exercise will influence and clarify strategies for disseminating the project and the cases in ways that encourage re-usability of the learning designs for role-based learning experiences.
Journal of the Polynesian Society, 2012
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2015
A long standing research approach in island Oceania is the examination of community and regional ... more A long standing research approach in island Oceania is the examination of community and regional level patterning of archaeological remains. However, these efforts are impeded by heavy vegetation and rugged terrain, which limit the implementation and productivity of traditional archaeological methods. Aerial lidar data provide an opportunity to survey large archaeological landscapes effectively and efficiently in these environments. In this paper, we present the results of a lidar-based survey and analysis of community-level spatial patterning for at sites in the Manu'a Group of American Samoa. Using lidar data in conjunction with pedestrian survey results, we first established the suitability of lidar for identifying archaeological features, and then applied the technique to a previously unexamined landscape. We were able to record archaeological remains and analyse the data to discern spatial patterning in their distribution. The 27 patterning of these remains is broadly comparable, though not identical, to that of three other 28 settlement zones on Olosega and the adjacent island of Ofu, which previously were intensively 29 surveyed. The differences in the characteristics and distribution of structural features within and 30 between these four settlement zones may reflect differences in social status and ranking.
Virtual Archaeology Proceedings of the Vast Euroconference Arezzo 24 25 November 2000 2002 Isbn 1 84171 454 2 Pags 71 76, 2002
Archaeology in Oceania, 2020
Marine resources are integral to the subsistence of coastal populations in Oceania and have been ... more Marine resources are integral to the subsistence of coastal populations in Oceania and have been since the islands were first settled. While
items of fishing gear, most notably fishhooks, are found throughout the Pacific, they are not as common as one might think. Fishhooks are in fact noticeably uncommon in the Central Pacific, for example. Consequently, the various types of analyses of fishhook morphology, particularly the types of line attachment devices, that have been carried out on East Polynesian assemblages have not been possible for West Polynesian sites. Using a large collection of fishhooks from three sites on Ofu and Olosega islands in the Manu‘a Group of American Samoa, we present a detailed analysis of a large combined assemblage and compare the data collected to those from other islands and island groups in the region. We show that the hooks reflect exploitation emphasising inshore environments, and that angling as a fish capture method is likely to vary in intensity based on local environmental variability. Moreover, we illustrate how these fishhooks constitute a means of assessing both early cultural contacts and cultural variability in the Central Pacific.
Journal of Anthropological Research, 2019
Previous research has demonstrated that the nature of power strategies correlates with the nature... more Previous research has demonstrated that the nature of power strategies correlates with the nature of ritual action, and nowhere is political action more important than in Polynesia. Polynesian political systems have served as important comparative examples for the investigation of complex societies, although the nature of some early political systems is not well understood. Through the analysis of the ritual of pigeon catching, the nature of pre-European-contact power strategies in Samoa are inferred in this paper. We demonstrate that Samoan ritual action in pigeon catching was geared toward the legitimization of hierarchical structure instead of simply the power of individual elites. We contend that by legitimizing structures, manifestations of sacred power could be validated and channeled to others for purposes of practical influence. Based on the comparative analysis of pigeon catching, we find that power strategies in Samoa, despite several notable autocratic tendencies, were more corporate than in neighboring Tonga.
Radiocarbon dating of marine samples requires a local marine reservoir correction, or ΔR value, f... more Radiocarbon dating of marine samples requires a local marine reservoir correction, or ΔR value, for accurate age calibrations. For the Samoan Archipelago in the central Pacific, ΔR values have been proposed previously, but, unlike some Polynesian archipelagoes, ΔR values seem not to vary spatially and temporally. Here, we demonstrate such variability by reporting a ΔR of -101 ± 72 ΔR for the Manu'a Group-the eastern-most islands in the archipelago-for the colonization period. This value is based on accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14 C and uranium-thorium (U-Th) series dating of individual coral branches from pre-2300 cal BP archaeological contexts. This figure differs from the previously proposed modern ΔR of 28 ± 26 yr derived from dated historic, pre-1950, shell samples from the western islands of Samoa. Consequently, we recommend using the ΔR of -101 ± 72 yr for the 1st millennium BC in Manu'a, and 28 ± 26 yr for calibrating dates within the 2nd millennium AD in the western islands (Savai'i to Tutuila). Until more data from across the archipelago and from throughout the entire culture-historical sequence document ΔR variability, we recommend that researchers use both of these ΔR values to evaluate how the dates of marine-derived samples compare with AMS dates on identified, short-lived wood charcoal.
The timing and unprecedented speed of the Lapita migration from the western edge of Oceania to we... more The timing and unprecedented speed of the Lapita migration from the western edge of Oceania to western Poly-nesia in the Central Pacific have long been of interest to archaeologists. The eastern-most extent of that great human migration was the Samoan Archipelago in West Polynesia, although critical questions have remained about the timing and process of Samoan colonization. To investigate those questions, we carried out a Bayesian analysis of 19 radiocarbon dates on charcoal and 8 uranium-thorium (U-Th) series coral dates from four archaeological sites on Ofu Island in the eastern reaches of Samoa. The analysis indicates initial settlement of Ofu at 2717–2663 cal BP (68.2%) by people using Plainware rather than the diagnostic dentate-stamped Lapita pottery. This date range indicates that there is not a significant chronological gap between Lapita and Plainware sites in Samoa, which holds implications for modeling the settlement process in the Central Pacific.
Journal of Pacific Archaeology , 2016
The identification and analysis of 1583 bones from colonisation (~2700 cal BP) to late period (po... more The identification and analysis of 1583 bones from colonisation (~2700 cal BP) to late period (post-800 cal BP) cultural layers from archaeological site AS-13-41 on Ofu Island, American Samoa are reported. The assemblage is dominated by fish (~91 per cent; NISP = 1435, MNI = 162) with bones of human, Green Sea Turtle, sea birds (shearwaters and petrels) and a terrestrial bird (Buff-Banded Rail), as well as the commensals Pacific Rat, chicken (Red Junglefowl) and pig. We report here the first prehistoric records of Pacific Flying Fox (Pteropus tonganus) and the endemic Tooth-Billed Pigeon (Manumea, Didunculus strigirostris) from colonisation layers and two pelagic fish species only recorded from late prehistoric deposits: Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) and flying fish (Exocoetidae). These and numerous genus-level fish identifications of surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), squirrelfish and soldierfish (Holocentridae), snapper (Lutjanidae) and parrotfish (Scaridae) are additional new fish records for Samoan prehistory reflecting the breadth of the fish reference collection as well as the practice of using all fish bones for identification; ~37 per cent of bones were assigned to family. Colonisation period deposits are characterised by greater quantities of fish, turtle and bird bones, declining towards later prehistory signalling the likely effects of human predation and an increasing emphasis towards agricultural production.
This study examines the intersections of spatial logic and archaeology in the Sāmoan Archipelago ... more This study examines the intersections of spatial logic and archaeology in the Sāmoan Archipelago of Polynesia. These islands provide model systems for understanding social space given their small size and bounded nature. We argue that spatial logic, defined as group conceptualization of space or shared orientations, contributes to the patterning of archaeological remains in Sāmoa. The building of architectural structures and the cultural structuring of space can also be seen as political negotiation, even though the ideal spatial distribution is never met. While shared general patterns of spatial orientation may be identified across wide regions, it is also important to understand the development of spatial logic in the archaeological record as active processes embedded within historical context.
Case studies offer an opportunity to examine and highlight relationships among variables in a way... more Case studies offer an opportunity to examine and highlight relationships among variables in a way that cannot be done through broad comparison. Ofu Island has served as one such case study for understanding human–environment relationships. Here, we use three decades of archaeological investigations – past work of others as well as our own recent research – to formulate a revised model of the historical ecology of the island. We argue that Ofu still holds important clues to understanding the complexity of human–environment relationships, chiefly serving to illustrate the structuring effects of environmental history. R ´ ESUMÉ Lesétudes de cas permettent d'examiner et de mettre enévidence les liens entre des variables, ce qui n'est pas possible de la même façon avec une comparaison générale. L'Ile d'Ofu a servi d'´ etude de cas pour comprendre les liens humain-environnement. Ce travail est le fruit de trente années de recherches archéologiques-aussi bien les travaux anciens d'autres personnes que notre récente recherche-que nous utilisons pourélaborer une version revisitée de l'histoire de l'´ ecologie de l'ˆ ıle. Nous certifions qu'Ofu renferme encore des informations importantes permettant de comprendre la complexité des relations qui existent entre l'homme et l'environnement, servant principalementà illustrer les effets structurants de l'histoire environnementale.